Outfit post: Spring Greens

I’m not really one outfit posts, but this skirt was too fun not to share. It’s by ArielSimone and I wore it to MNfashion’s The Shows last week. I lovingly call it my mullet skirt…short in front, long in back…get it? I’m excited for it to be warm enough to sport sans tights and maybe with some chunky wedges. It totally reminds me of spring!

And with Adrienne Yancy of ArielSimone. Gimme those boots, girl!

Top: thrifted; necklace: LEN; belt: Urban Outfitters; skirt: ArielSimone (duh); clutch: BCBG

Photos courtesy of ArielSimone

And if you’re curious, my choice for best dressed at the Oscars:

The color! The ruffles! The little bow brooch! Is this going to be the year of the peplum? I wouldn’t mind. Way to go, Michelle.

Oscars red carpet predictions

Since I haven’t seen any of the movies nominated for an Oscar (besides Bridesmaids), it’s safe to say the most exciting part of this year’s award show are going to be the dresses. But really, isn’t it how that always goes?

So in an attempt to make watching the red carpet more fun, I’m casting my predictions for dresses that will appear on the nominated starlets.

Badgley Mischka Ready to Wear Fall 2012

This one just looks like an Oscar. I love the shoulder detail. I can see someone like Jessica Chastain rocking this glittery delight. It would look awesome with her red locks (side note: she makes me miss my days as a red head).

Christian Dior Spring 2012 Couture

A killer pair of legs need to take up residency in this dress. That’s why I’d nominate Bérénice Bejo to wear this one. Didn’t she dance a bunch in The Artist? She could totally pull this off.

Michael Kors Fall 2012 Ready to Wear

Given that Michelle Williams played Marilyn Monroe, I vote she pay homage to that role by wearing a Marilyn-eque dress. This red gown is a stunner and totally fits Michelle’s hip, chic style.

Marchesa Fall 2012 Ready to Wear

This whole Marchesa collection is freaking ridiculous. Metallics, metals, flowy lace and tulle. I think this dress would look fab on Viola Davis…the color, shape, everything.

Eli Saab Spring 2012 Couture

Like a spring daisy basking in a sun-filled prairie, so will Octavia Spencer be in this yellow dream by Eli Saab (Ha!!). Let’s forget I just said that and start imagining this nominee accepting her award for Best Supporting Actress in this lovely dress.

Left and middle: Naeem Khan Fall 2012; Right: J. Mendel Fall 2012

I can only picture Rooney Mara showing up to the Oscars in black — and that’s okay because all three of these gowns are badass and sexy to match the assassin character she’s nominated for playing. I couldn’t pick just one, sorry.

Left: Gucci Fall 2012; Right: Naeem Khan Fall 2012

For Meryl Streep, the queen of the big screen, it’s only fitting she don a gown with a bit of drama. My first choice for her would be the red Gucci but since it’s only been a matter of hours since it hit the runway, I’ve decided to call in backup. But really, the Naeem Khan is hardly a step down. Besides, Meryl has proved to look great in white and emit the confidence to pull off a deep neckline.

Dennis Basso Fall 2012 Ready to Wear

There’s nothing funny about this Dennis Basso gown, but I can see this looking great on Bridesmaids scene-stealer Melissa McCarthy. I love the navy and sparkle detail on the bodice and sleeves. I wouldn’t expect her to wear the fur vest but certainly wouldn’t judge her if she did.

Donna Karan Pre-Fall 2012

I have to admit I don’t know much about Janet McTeer. But after some quick red carpet research on the Best Supporting Actress nominee I can conclude she steers toward sleek, chic and simple gowns. And knowing that, I say she can’t go wrong in this Donna Karan dress.

Oscar de la Renta Fall 2012 Ready to Wear

Glenn Close played a woman disguised as a man in the role in which she’s nominated for Best Actress. And for that I say she play up the girly card on the red carpet this year. After all, she did spend months filming in non-figure friendly trousers and overcoat. Glenn deserves to show off her curves, have pretty bows hang off her shoulders and wear some color that complements her complexion.

And there you have it — my picks for all the ladies nominated this year. And just for kicks, here are some extra dresses I wouldn’t mind seeing on the bods of gals like Charlize Theron, Anne Hathaway, Angelina and more…

Lef: Oscar de la Renta; Middle: J. Mendel; Right: Badgley Mischka

Left: Eli Saab; Middle: Marchesa; Right: Versace

All photos via Style.com

The Shows: Emma Berg and Amanda Christine recap

Minneapolis-St. Paul Fashion Week is in full swing, folks. And last night I made a stop at the highly anticipated “The Shows” presented by MNfashion. The event featured fall 2012 collections from Kimberly Jurek (Kjurek), Emma Berg and Amanda Christine.

Above is quick video of the final walks from Emma Berg and Amanda Christine (Unfortunately I missed out on Kjurek due to some pesky traffic).

I was looking forward to seeing Emma Berg’s collection after her showing in the same event last year — which is still one of my favorite collections I’ve seen. She’s known for her slightly over-the-top, slightly crazy and always beautiful designs that sometimes come off looking more like walking works of art.

This year, she named her collection Que Sera Sera – a study of unexpected pairings. The most unexpected pairing? I’d say any look where colored fur made an appearance. Or was it hair? Whatever it was, I couldn’t help but think of treasure trolls. While I thought the hair worked for some looks (like the jacket which reminded me of the Jeremy Scott rainbow hair coat), there were others that I just couldn’t wrap my head around (furry pasties, anyone?).

But with the crazy, Berg brought plenty of pretty. I couldn’t help but love the neon blue fringe dress with a coral underskirt…very Miami flapper. And the final dress with white, sky-high shoulders and white, feathered skirt…I need to get my hands on that and then go party with Lady Gaga. Oh, and I can’t forget the ode to Björk swan dress and jacket. It somehow totally worked for me.

Amanda Christine’s collection stayed true to what she does best — simple with a twist. Her collection which was “inspired by the classical American beauty in a modern woman’s lifestyle,” showed off pencil skirts, sexy cut outs and feminine silhouettes. I’m pretty sure every woman in that room saw two or three pieces walk by that they would wear a million times over. While I wasn’t crazy about the paisley print material she used for some of her tops and dresses, I was loving her wide leg trousers and black, chunky sweater dress (which looked surprisingly flattering). Overall there weren’t any real surprises with her collection — which isn’t a bad thing. I’m pretty sure I’ll be adding a few more Amanda Christine pieces to my wardrobe in the coming months.

For photos of all the runway looks from The Shows, check out MNfashion’s Facebook album.

Peep show at Avoid the Grey 2012

Uptown boutique Cliché decided to switch up the format for their annual Avoid the Grey spring fashion show this year by nixing the runway for large, enclosed boxes. Basically the models posed inside the “capsules” that had small cut out holes along the walls where outsiders had to peer into for a look at the scene inside. It was pretty cool. Very cool, actually.

I was totally impressed with the execution of this set up. The inside of each capsule was transformed into a different world. One a foggy storm scene, another a sexy boudoir, another a mystical forest. Five different art displays total.

The Grain Exchange building in Northeast was packed with people hovering around these huge boxes trying to get a better look at what was displayed inside. It was so great to see Cliché present a completely new concept for displaying local fashion.

Twenty designers participated this year to create ten looks. Here are a couple of my favorites:

Sarah M. Holm took on a very Tim Burton-esque look with her design. The model has four guns attached to her bodice. Don’t mess with her.

Danielle Everine went for a winter warrior princess sort of look. How awesome is that mask?

Nothing gets you in the mood for spring more than neon. ArielSimone’s model carefully struts out from her capsule a bit taller than the rest.

A gorgeous headpiece by KR designs.